I have lurking on here for a while trying to learn all i can about these speakers. I have a pair of Cadenzas that were put into storage about a decade ago when the foam around the main driver disintegrated. My plan is to replace main drivers, replace the caps on the crossover if needed, and then put them back into good use.

From what i have read/understood the main drivers should be B200's, and there seems to be two versions with big or small magnets? What i found are completely different to any KEF drivers i have seen here or on eBay. There is no markings on them other than a W on the base, and 8ohm on the back of the cone. Can anybody identify them?

The tweeter is a SP1032, and the BRF is an SP1042 which i believe are original.

All capacitors are film, being constructed of alternating layers of conducting and insulating films. Most types are relatively stable unless the breakdown voltage of the insulating layer is exceeded for any reason.

If you meant electrolytic capacitors, the insulating layer is an oxide formed by electrolytic action and this can deteriorate with age as the electrolyte dries. If there are symptoms which make you suspect them, you should measure them with an LCR meter (out of circuit) to determine if replacement is necessary.

All capacitors are film, being constructed of alternating layers of conducting and insulating films. Most types are relatively stable unless the breakdown voltage of the insulating layer is exceeded for any reason.

If you meant electrolytic capacitors, the insulating layer is an oxide formed by electrolytic action and this can deteriorate with age as the electrolyte dries. If there are symptoms which make you suspect them, you should measure them with an LCR meter (out of circuit) to determine if replacement is necessary.

Thanks for reply. I was specifically interested to learn what the black Elcap's that are in the crossover are as they dont look like regular electrolytics to me?

In my hunt for main drivers i ended up winning another set of Cadenzas on eBay for £60 which totally made my day

The cabinets are in very poor condition, and one of the tweeters has been pushed in but they are going to be a donor pair to replace the main drivers in my good set of cabinets.

I may also refinish those cabinets and stain them a dark wood colour without feeling guilty about it, and keep the good pair original. I will update progress as it happens..

I was specifically interested to learn what the black Elcap's that are in the crossover are as they dont look like regular electrolytics to me?

Elcaps and Alcaps used by KEF were both "reversible" electrolytic type capacitors.

These are made up of two regular electrolytic capacitors connected back-to-back in series in the same case. In this way only one is reverse biased at any one time. It does not get damaged because the other correctly biased one prevented reverse current to the reverse biased one.

I received the 2nd pair of speakers, collection of Solen poly caps, and some new speaker cable last week so i spent most of Saturday afternoon rebuilding these.

I ended up using my existing cabinets and bass reflex units, main drivers from the donor pair, and also one of the tweeters as one of my originals had died, measures no resistance at all across it.

They cleaned up well in the end, and sound very clear to the point of being almost a little too bright at times. Really glad i put the time and effort into these, they are just so refined, i really do love the sound.

Thanks for all the help everyone, these speakers should live on for another decade or two of musical enjoyment.